Norwin Middle School Language Arts 8 What is

Norwin Middle School Language Arts 8

What is subject-verb agreement? In basic terms, it is appropriately “matching” the two main parts of your sentence: the subject and the verb. In other words, singular verbs go with singular subjects and plural verbs go with plural subjects.

So, just how good is your grammar?

(MARK YOUR ANSWERS ON THE BACK OF YOUR PAPER) #1) Identify the correct verb: She and her friends (is, are) at the fair.

#2) Identify the correct verb: Neither the book nor the pen (is, are) in the drawer.

#3) Identify the correct verb: Either his friends or the boy (runs, run) everyday.

#4) Identify the correct verb: The woman, along with all her dogs, (walks, walk) down my street.

#5) Identify the correct verb: The book, including all the chapters in the first section, (is, are) boring.

#6) Identify the correct verb: The team captain, as well as his players, (is, are) anxious.

#7) Identify the correct verb: Each of these hot dogs (is, are) juicy.

#8) Identify the correct verb: A herd of elephants (was, were) visible on the safari.

#9) Identify the correct verb: Each of us (is, are) responsible for a different task.

#10) Identify the correct verb: There (is, are) many possible answers for that question.

How do you think you did? You’ll find out the answers at the end. First, let’s learn a little more about subjectverb agreement.

Here a few basic rules to remember when writing…

Rule #1 A singular subject needs a singular verb. Singular Subject Singular Verb EX: The photograph was faded from the sun.

Rule #1 A plural subject needs a plural verb. Plural Subject EX: The photographs were faded from the sun.

Rule #2 Compound subjects joined by and take a plural verb. Subject #1 Subject #2 Plural Verb EX: Lisa and Mark appear tired.

Rule #3 The number of a subject is NOT changed by a prepositional phrase or clause following the subject. In other words, CROSS THEM OUT!

Rule #3 EXAMPLES: Brittany, along with her sisters, wants to join the Ski Club. Tanya, together with her friends, is decorating the gym for the school dance. My brother as well as my parents lives nearby.

Rule #4 When the subject follows the verb, find the subject and make sure the verb agrees with it. ***Here and there are never subjects! Singular Verb Singular Subject EX: Here is the information you need for the presentation.

Rule #5 When compound subjects are joined by either…or or neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject that is CLOSEST TO IT. EX: Neither the sweater nor the hat was on sale. Neither the sweater nor the shoes were on sale.

Rule #6 If an indefinite pronoun is the subject, check to see if it is singular or plural. n n n Singular: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone, something Plural: both, few, many, several Both: some, all, any, more, most, none

EXAMPLES: Everyone is required to bring a pencil to class. (always singular) Both of the contestants practice daily. (always plural) Most of the food is gone. (can be both; Most refers to the singular object food, therefore it is singular. )

Rule #7 A collective noun implies more than one person but is considered singular. Singular Subject Singular Verb EX: The team practices everyday after school.

NOTE: In some cases, a collective noun may require a plural verb. Collective Noun as Subject Plural Verb EX: The team are always fighting amongst themselves. (In this case, it requires a plural verb because the team members are functioning independently. )

Let’s return to the pre-test you took and check your answers.

#1) Identify the correct verb: She and her friends (is, are) at the fair. ARE RULE #2

#2) Identify the correct verb: Neither the book nor the pen (is, are) in the drawer. IS RULE #5

#3) Identify the correct verb: Either his friends or the boy (runs, run) everyday. RUNS RULE #5

#4) Identify the correct verb: The woman, along with all her dogs, (walks, walk) down my street. WALKS RULE #3

#5) Identify the correct verb: The book, including all the chapters in the first section, (is, are) boring. RULE #3 IS

#6) Identify the correct verb: The team captain, as well as his players, (is, are) anxious. IS RULE #3

#7) Identify the correct verb: Each of these hot dogs (is, are) juicy. IS RULES #3 & 6

#8) Identify the correct verb: A herd of elephants (was, were) visible on the safari. was RULE #7

#9) Identify the correct verb: Each of us (is, are) responsible for a different task. IS RULES #3 & 6

#10) Identify the correct verb: There (is, are) many possible answers for that question. ARE RULE #4

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve successfully completed your subject-verb agreement training!